He pulled my hand tightly, his fingers locking around mine as if he was afraid I might disappear if he let go. He didn't say a word, just kept walking until we reached the after-party hall.
The music was loud. Lights flashed everywhere, laughter mixed with alcohol and perfume, and bodies moved like they had no worries in the world.
Raisem stood by the wide balcony, his tall figure relaxed, one hand resting on the rail as he watched the party unfold below.
I stood beside him, feeling small, out of place.
Suddenly, the music stopped.
The sudden silence felt violent, like someone had sucked the air out of the room. Conversations died instantly.
"What's wrong?"
Before anyone could answer, men dressed in black suits stormed in from every corner of the hall. They moved fast and sharp, surrounding the entire place. No smiles and hesitation.
I just looked around and didn't say a word. My throat felt tight. I wasn't comfortable with this.
"Everyone leave except from models and everyone who works in the industry." One of the men said.
Confused murmurs filled the room. People whispered to one another, panic spreading quickly.
"Now." The man screamed.
The reaction was instant. Chairs scraped, heels clicked against the floor, and people rushed out like scared birds. In seconds, the place emptied, leaving only trembling models and staff behind.
Kat's eyes widened as she glanced toward the balcony. She saw us.
Raisem tightened his grip on my hand and started walking down the stairs. My legs felt weak, but I followed him. Every step felt heavy, like the eyes in the room were pressing down on me.
We stood in front of everyone.
"Which one of you hit her?" Raisem asked, casually playing with his nails as if he wasn't terrifying the entire room.
I stood still, my fingers curled tightly into my palm.
"We didn't hit her?" they began to murmur, voices shaky and unsure.
My eyes moved on their own, straight to Alice. I didn't even realize Raisem's gaze followed mine.
"Raisem, no one hit me please stop." I said quickly, my voice low but urgent. "I don't want trouble."
This was my first time here. I didn't want drama. I didn't want enemies. I still want to become a hair stylist.
"Take her." Raisem said.
Before I could react, one of his men grabbed Alice forcefully, pulling her out of the group.
"Please, it wasn't me. Please I didn't hit her." she cried, tears spilling as she struggled.
She lied.
I scoffed softly without realizing it.
"What are you doing Raisem?" I said in frustration, turning to him.
He didn't answer. He simply dragged my hand and walked away like nothing else mattered.
******
We entered the dressing room.
Alice was pushed inside. She collapsed to the floor, crying, shaking, her makeup ruined and her breathing uneven.
So she could look like this too. She acted like the world was in her hands, now see who's begging.
Raisem walked closer to her, his expression unreadable.
"Hit her back." He said.
I froze and looked at him, then at Alice, and something shifted deep inside me. I had wanted to let it go. I had wanted to pretend it didn't hurt.
But it did. I stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face. That's my little revenge.
The sound echoed. Alice fell, her knees hitting the floor as she grabbed my legs desperately.
"Please I am sorry, I didn't mean to." Alice pleaded.
"Get her out of here, she's fired." Raisem said.
His men dragged her away as she screamed and cried.
"Fire her. You don't have to fire her." I said quickly.
"I know you're happy about it. She hit you and now she's fired. It's fair." He said casually.
"But..." I started.
"No but Ara." Raisem cut in. "Her and other models have been accused of always bullying new models. I just didn't have her time then."
I stared at him. Why would he do this for me?
Why would someone like him, someone who looked like he didn't care—stand up for me this way?
A man rushed over and whispered something into his ear. Raisem nodded slightly and dismissed him.
He turned to leave.
"Wait." I said.
He stopped and turned back.
"Thank you." I said softly.
He smirked.
"I'm grateful for it." I added.
"If you're truly grateful then, let's get dinner." He said.
"I'm sorry, I'm not hungry so I won't be able..."
My stomach growled loudly.
My face burned in shame and he stared at my tummy. I was betrayed by hunger.
"Don't keep me waiting." He said and walked away.
I followed.
******
The atmosphere changed the moment we stepped into the restaurant.
Warm golden lights hung from the ceiling, reflecting softly on polished wooden floors.
The air smelled rich, spices, roasted meat, and something comforting I couldn't place. Soft music played in the background, calm and elegant.
It felt expensive, it was expensive.
We were led to a quiet corner, plush chairs waiting for us. A waitress approached with a menu.
"Welcome Mr Hargrave and Miss…" she hesitated.
"Ara." I said with a smile.
"Miss Ara. Please make an order." she said with a bow.
"It seems like she knows you, are you a regular here?" I asked.
"My father owns here." Raisem replied.
"Oh wow." I breathed. "I commend his taste. This place is so beautiful. Your father is really cool."
His expression changed. His eyes went distant for a moment but I ignored it. He was always distant.
"What would you like to order?" He said, avoiding the topic.
I looked at the menu and nearly choked.
"It's really expensive, I can't even afford it even if we split the bills."
"Split the bills?" He said in disbelief.
"Yes." I replied.
"Just choose something Ara." He said, gesturing toward the waiting waitress.
After searching, I smiled.
"Seen it."
"I'll go for the Beef Brisket Ramyun with some Korean rice wine."
"You prefer eating that?" He stared at me.
"It's the best." I said with a huge smile.
"I'll get the same." Raisem said holding the menu.
"Boss, I thought you once said you hated noodles." the waitress blurted.
Raisem glared and she ran off.
When the food arrived, I dug in immediately.
The taste melted in my mouth.
It felt like home and my chest tightened as memories of my mother flooded my mind, her laughter, her cooking, her warmth.
"You sure are enjoying your meal." I said.
He didn't reply.
******
We stepped into the parking lot, the night air cool against my skin.
"Thanks for the food, I'll have to go now so I can get a taxi." I said, adjusting my bag on my shoulder.
He stopped and looked at me, one brow lifting slightly.
"Get in the car, I'll take you home." He said.
"Oh, no thanks." I shook my head quickly. "I don't want to inconvenience you, you've done a lot for me today."
His lips pressed together.
"Get in the car Ara." He said.
He didn't wait for an answer. He walked to the driver's seat, opened the door, and started the engine. The sound of it felt final.
I stood there for a second, then sighed and opened the door.
Inside the car, silence settled between us.
The city lights passed by the window in soft blurs. I rested my head against the glass, watching familiar streets appear one after the other.
This was home. Or at least… it used to be.
Suddenly, I noticed movement ahead, too much movement. People were running and shouting.
Cars were pulling over, horns blaring in panic. A strange smell filled the air. Thick and sharp.
My heart skipped when I saw the smoke.
Dark smoke rose into the sky, twisting and spreading like a storm cloud. Orange light flickered dangerously through it.
As we got closer, my chest tightened.
No.
No, no, no.
"Pull over." I screamed.
He slammed the brakes immediately.
The moment the car stopped, I threw the door open and jumped out.
An apartment was burning.
My new apartment.
Flames crawled up the walls, swallowing the windows. The heat hit my face hard, like a slap. Smoke poured out endlessly, choking the air. Sirens screamed in the distance as firefighters struggled to control the fire, water splashing uselessly against the roaring flames.
Everything inside, my clothes, my bed and everything.
"No…" My knees weakened. "No, no, no… my apartment."
I stumbled forward, ignoring the heat, ignoring the screams around me.
"Ara!" someone called.
My apartment mate rushed toward me, his face covered in soot, eyes red with tears.
"Ara, you're back?" His voice shook. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know it could lead to a fire."
His words barely registered.
My eyes were fixed on the flames.
Somewhere inside…
On the small wooden table by the wall…
My mother's ashes, perfectly kept in a jar.
The only memory of her. The one thing I saved when everything else was taken from me.
It reminded me of her smile, her face. It was like she was still there.
Raisem appeared beside me.
"No, no, no my apartment." I cried, my voice breaking completely.
I tried to rush forward but strong hands grabbed mine.
"Where are you going.?" He said.
"Let me go, please!" I begged, struggling against his grip.
"Let you go into the fire and get yourself killed? What's so important in there that you can't get again?" He snapped.
"My mother's ashes!" I cried out.
Tears streamed down my face as my body shook violently. He was shocked.
Firefighters rushed over, blocking my path.
"Ma'am, you can't go in there!" one of them shouted.
"Let me go!" I screamed, my voice cracking. "Please! Let me go!"
I fought like a mad woman, clawing at their hands, sobbing uncontrollably.
Then, Raisem let go.
Before anyone could react, he shoved past them and ran straight into the burning apartment.
"Raisem!" I screamed.
The fire roared louder as he disappeared inside.